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‘The public has not been convinced it’s the right thing to do’ (From Daily Echo)
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‘The public has not been convinced it’s the right thing to do’
10:40am Monday 29th June 2009
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- By Jon Reeve » Education Reporter
THE people should have the final say.
That is the message from a Hampshire MP backing calls for the public to be given a vote on plans to fluoridate Hampshire tap water.
Sandra Gidley who represents Romsey and north Southampton, believes the people affected by the controversial scheme have not been convinced by the case in favour of it.
And the Lib Dem MP says the decision on what goes in the water supply must be made by those who drink it.
“There’s such a range of evidence out there that I could actually give you a very convincing argument both for or against fluoridation,” she told the Daily Echo.
“But ultimately I think the public has to have faith in what’s being put in its water and if the people who are in favour cannot convince people it’s the right thing to do then it shouldn’t happen.
“It’s quite simple really.”
During last year’s public consultation on the scheme to fluoridate the water supplies of nearly 200,000 homes in Southampton, Eastleigh, Totton, Netley and Rownhams, some 10,000 people had their say.
Of those who gave their views to South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA), some 72 per cent of people living in the affected area said they opposed the scheme.
In a separate phone survey of 2,000 people, 38 per cent were against fluoridation, compared to 32 per cent in favour.
But in February the SHA’s board unanimously approved the plans, saying they were convinced by the medical case.
The Daily Echo is backing calls for a referendum on fluoridation, because of the strength of opposition to the scheme, and Mrs Gidley agrees.
“I don’t know if there’s any precedent for doing it, but I can’t see any problem with doing it and it would seem to be the most democratic way of doing it,” she said.
“One argument put forward by the SHA was that it was only those who are anti who were motivated to send in forms and when they did their separate call around they got a different view.
“But of those who had made up their minds there were certainly more against than in favour.
“I’ve always felt that the people should have the final say, and that’s what the spirit of the legislation was meant to be.”
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Your Say YourEcho
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
11:13am Mon 29 Jun 09
Perhaps this typical Lib-Dem shifty woman may like to tell us what she was doing all the time when many prominent Southampton Councillors of her party voted for adding poisonous fluoride to our water. Is she going to condemn their actions?
Oracle1, Woolston, Southampton says...
11:18am Mon 29 Jun 09
bri21, southampton says...
11:21am Mon 29 Jun 09
Nice try though Sandra.
Ancient David, Romsey says...
11:23am Mon 29 Jun 09
Forest Resident wrote:Well said.Gidley had a three figure majority at the last election and will jump on any passing band-wagon.She backed the wrong horse with the Chandlers Ford shooting and must be hoping for better mileage with this one.
“I’ve always felt that the people should have the final say, and that’s what the spirit of the legislation was meant to be.” - Like many other expenses abusing MP's, these words are likely to come back to haunt you in the next election Ms Gidley. Isn't democracy a wonderful thing!
I have a particular problem with statistics of this story-15,000+ people,on a petition presented in Downing Street,72% of the 10,000 people who responded to the survey, claim to speak for the 200,000+ residents who will be affected.Statisical nonsense.
Oracle1, Woolston, Southampton says...
11:25am Mon 29 Jun 09
A Statute is a rule created by a representative governing body of a society designed to create common goals, which carries the force of law by the consent of the governed.
If we collectively do not consent, that can't enforce it, key bit is "consent of the governed"
Oracle1, Woolston, Southampton says...
11:32am Mon 29 Jun 09
Ancient David wrote:Ancient David's piece is spot on in terms of numbers, that is why the legislation will go through via passive consent, not enough people are bothered to do anything or are being conscious enough to know the issues. The government know that apathy reigns and will get the legislation through based on this passive consent ruling. If 180,000 responded with a no, what could they do then?
Forest Resident wrote:Well said.Gidley had a three figure majority at the last election and will jump on any passing band-wagon.She backed the wrong horse with the Chandlers Ford shooting and must be hoping for better mileage with this one.
“I’ve always felt that the people should have the final say, and that’s what the spirit of the legislation was meant to be.” - Like many other expenses abusing MP's, these words are likely to come back to haunt you in the next election Ms Gidley. Isn't democracy a wonderful thing!
I have a particular problem with statistics of this story-15,000+ people,on a petition presented in Downing Street,72% of the 10,000 people who responded to the survey, claim to speak for the 200,000+ residents who will be affected.Statisical nonsense.
bri21, southampton says...
1:11pm Mon 29 Jun 09
That's akin to abstainers being counted as votes for New Labour....but hang on there ... it won't be long before they try that stunt too!
And BTW, I didn't sign the petition either, and I don't support fluoridation.
Oracle1, Woolston, Southampton says...
1:22pm Mon 29 Jun 09
I am not talking about voting rights, clearly there wasn't a vote on the subject. I was talking about the government rules called statutes, these do need people to respond to them or else they go through if enough people actually buy in to it, or they rely on passive consent. The reasoning behind this questionable procedure being that if people do not speak up, then they are not against it.
Apathy is relied on, it's easy to be distracted with media/too much tv/sport and everything else out there that stops people thinking about the bigger issues. Each to their own, people live their lives how they want to, they just can't complain when it's too late.
sadtobehere, Southampton says...
2:33pm Mon 29 Jun 09
Bartonian, Chandler's Ford says...
2:44pm Mon 29 Jun 09
goard, Southampton says...
3:09pm Mon 29 Jun 09
goard
bri21, southampton says...
3:19pm Mon 29 Jun 09
To count those abstainers as being in favour is dishonest. Although politicians and their hangers-on know all about dishonesty as recent events have shown all too clearly.
King Mush, Woolston says...
3:50pm Mon 29 Jun 09
Big Boy, Hythe says...
3:52pm Mon 29 Jun 09
The Echo is being deliberately obtuse with regard to this survey. Well, I suppose that there have to sell newspapers, so why let the truth stand in their way.
King Mush, Woolston says...
3:54pm Mon 29 Jun 09
"Twister in the skies over the south"
Sheesh - I thought it was about a hang-gliding MP!!
MrGMan, Shirley says...
8:34pm Mon 29 Jun 09
Well done Sandra!
Bright Sparkk, Titchfield Haven says...
12:38am Tue 30 Jun 09
Bulldog chewing a wasp
or
Face like a bag full of spanners?
lemonlite, Southampton says...
1:36am Tue 30 Jun 09
In the year 2000, MORI conducted a poll of 1530 West Midlands residents.
They where asked "Do you think fluoride should be added to water if it can reduce tooth decay?"
This one uncritical question produced a 71% response in favour.
It is this size of survey (one-tenth that of the NO petition) to which the Government gives credence in claiming majority support for fluoridation.
Whatever you may think, 15000 people saying NO is significant.
King Mush, Woolston says...
1:31pm Tue 30 Jun 09
Bright Sparkk wrote:At least she's (slightly) better looking than Hazel Blears! Miss Mega-Smug of the decade
Gidley. Bulldog chewing a wasp or Face like a bag full of spanners?
goard, Southampton says...
11:13am Fri 24 Jul 09
goard
Sandra Gidley
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Forest Resident, Marchwood says...
10:46am Mon 29 Jun 09
- Like many other expenses abusing MP's, these words are likely to come back to haunt you in the next election Ms Gidley. Isn't democracy a wonderful thing!